9484cbs@hou2b.UUCP (06/23/83)
Hi. Has anyone had a chance to try the new "Password" modem from US Robotics? I saw an ad for it: 300/1200 baud, 212 compatible, auto-dial, auto-answer, etc. The kicker: this mail order house (somewhere in Calif., but I don't remember now) was offering it for $329. A software package to drive the autodialer was about $60 extra (but probably wouldn't be to hard to write yourself). Ken Lee hou2b!9484cbs cbosg!cbscc!wb3g!kfl whuxlc!wb3g!kfl
johnl@tekecs.UUCP (06/29/83)
I have seen the Password. We have a lot (>20) of U.S. Robotics Auto-Dial 212A modems and are very happy with them. USR has the modem technology down pat, and our experience and examination of the modems indicates that they will be much more reliable than nearly any other modem, certainly Vadics and Hayes, since they are nearly all digital. Specifically, the only precision components in the whole thing are three precision resistors in the clock circuit. The Password is a disappointment. Its concept is great. Good technology packaged without frills for low cost. The only problems are with execution. The mechanical design stinks, and I've told the local distributors about it. Some examples follow: The LSI components are on stilts (tall sip-style sockets) with components underneath. Sockets are a continuing reliability headache, these are prototyping sockets, and the components underneath keep them from doing anything about it. One side of the 2920 IC doesn't even go all the way in (I tried); a second password I saw didn't have that problem, but it is indicative of the problems likely to occur. Perhaps the worst thing is that the voltage regulator ICs are in TO-220 cases with their leads bent flush against their (plastic) package. This is a no-no, since it stresses the bonds inside. A few shocks may cause these parts to fail. A smaller problem is that the cable is not strain-reliefed, although it is unlikely to pull off because the connector is at right angles to entry/exit. The above problems plus the (minor) advantages of a stackable metal case, lots of LEDs, and an analog loopback switch make it unlikely that we will buy passwords at work for a while. (For a personal purchase, where the modem would receive less abuse, where I could afford to be inconvenienced by a failure, and where money is tighter, I might buy a Password.) Almost all of the problems can be fixed (albeit with a new circuit board layout). So keep checking them out. Meanwhile USR still makes the best 1200 baud modems. <Flame on> When you order a Password, be sure to specify whether you want it with a male or female terminal connection. This is assinine, since the wiring is DCE with either sex connector. RS-232 is absolutely clear that Data Communications Equipment (modems) is wired with a female DB-25 connector, and just as clear that there is NO legal configuration with DCE wiring of a male connector. USR's action is, of course, the result of demand by owners of certain terminals and printers that use female connectors for God-only-knows-what reason, when the RS-232 standard clearly states that not only will terminal equipment have a male connector, but the terminal equipment will supply the cable. If you have ever (or often, in my case) come across two pieces of "RS-232" equipment that didn't talk, couldn't be made to talk easily, or simply confused you for a while, it is because manufacturers continually violate the specification to meet "demand". Then the next product has even more "demand". DEMAND that your Password come with a female connector. SOLVE your interfacing dilemma at the other end of the connection where the real problem is. REFUSE to buy equipment that claims to meet RS-232 but doesn't, and TELL the manufacturer why. <Flame off> Thank you for your time John Light decvax!tektronix!tekecs!johnl ucbvax!tektronix!tekecs!johnl
davec@tektronix.UUCP (06/30/83)
I haven't yet seen the actual "Password", but I do have a few comments about it's bigger brother, the Auto-Dial 212A. The Auto-Dial 212A is advertised as Hayes compatible. That stretches the point a little. Every one of these models that I have seen so far defaults to having echo off, while the the Hayes defaults to having echo on. If you are manually typing at it, and want to see what you are doing; or if you are talking to it via a program that wants some assurance that the modem is actually seeing the characters, you have to turn echo on first. Also, the meaning of the escape sequence (the "+++") is completely different. In the Hayes, that just switches you back to command mode (leaving the data connection open) so that you can change attributes (like full duplex/half duplex) or hang up the phone. For USR, the escape sequence just hangs up the phone. The Hayes command to hang up the phone line is not implemented. I also much prefer the Hayes manuals to the ones from USR. Dave Clemans Tektronix
friedman@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU ( -Gadi ) (03/08/86)
I have a USR PASSWORD modem that seems to have a bad transformer.
Does anyone know the specs. for this transformer, and possibly
where I can get a replacement?
topaz!friedman
friedman@topaz.rutgers.edu
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